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Home > Media>News & Statements> Gunvor usa secures us $875 million borrowing base facility
Gunvor usa secures us $875 million borrowing base facility
7 November 2017
Moving Energy Efficiently
Home > Media>News & Statements> Gunvor usa secures us $875 million borrowing base facility
7 November 2017
Gunvor USA LLC, a subsidiary of Gunvor Group, has successfully closed the syndication of its US $875 million Borrowing Base Credit Facility. The facility will support the company’s established operations in the United States, as well as planned expansion into Canada. Gunvor USA LLC has two main offices, located in Houston (TX) and Stamford (CT), which are focused on trading refined products, crude oilCrude oil refers to unrefined petroleum that is found with the Earth’s crust. and natural gasNatural Gas Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane (CH4), but commonly includes varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage....
“Our expanded facility enables Gunvor USA to build on our trading activities across the commodities space in North America,” said Chris Morran, Treasurer of Gunvor USA. “The oversubscription of the transaction and 75% increase in the facility amount demonstrate the level of confidence our banking partners have with our North American strategy.”
The new facility is jointly lead arranged by Rabobank, which will also serve as Administrative Agent and Active Bookrunner, and ABN Amro Capital USA LLC as Joint Bookrunner. ING Capital, LLC, Natixis, New York Branch, and Société Générale join as Joint Lead Arranger in the transaction. The syndicate also includes Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, Mizuho Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
“Gunvor USA has grown rapidly since its launch in 2016, and has significantly expanded its bank group as part of the refinancing,” said David Garza, President of Gunvor USA and Managing Director for its North American operations. “In the last year, Gunvor USA has hired more than 60 people for its North American operations, and opened trading offices in Houston and Stamford, and now a rep office in Calgary. We’ve been able to grow at an accelerated pace with the support of our banking partners.”
Gunvor USA LLC is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Gunvor Group Ltd., one of the largest independent energy commodity traders in the world.
Gunvor: Repeat of Q2 Volatility Hard to See |
Despite having its business model tested during the first half of 2020 commodities trader Gunvor’s robust risk management and strong market analysis helped it produce its best second quarter ever, according to CEO Torbjorn Tornqvist. Here, Tornqvist explains how Gunvor is well positioned to take advantage in a growing market for LNG, as well as discussing how its European refining operations have been adapted in response to Covid-19 and the firm’s view of the renewables sector, where it sees plenty of opportunity.
EI: The second quarter of this year produced a “super-contango” the likes of which we have never seen before (EIF Jun.3'20). In this new era of global uncertainty caused by Covid-19, can you see this degree of turbulence returning to the oil markets?
Törnqvist: The sell-off was created by a combination of several extraordinary factors. Starting with a misjudged Opec meeting in March, which resulted in free-for-all production at a time when we saw demand collapse like never in history. As a consequence, there was a massive oversupply to the tune of 20 million-30 million barrels for a short period of time. It is very hard to see this combination of circumstances hitting the market again in the foreseeable future.
EI: It is often said that “volatility is a trader’s best friend.” Does this adage still hold true, or does market turbulence also bring risks with it?
Törnqvist: Gunvor’s business model was really tested during the first half. Our risk management is robust and our market analysis is well developed. We managed to take advantage of the contango in the second quarter, as well as correctly read the volatility for oil. It is important to point out that for Gunvor, commodities not related to the oil collapse and contango also contributed to profits during this period. Obviously, it would be hard to have strong earnings without some volatility.
EI: You have indicated that this will be a very good year for the company financially. On the back of the Q2 meltdown, are you expecting net profits to exceed last year’s?
Törnqvist: We do not publish details during the year, but we can say the second quarter was the best quarter we have ever recorded due to the set of circumstances already described. Gunvor’s volumes of oil and liquid gas are steady at approximately 2.8 million barrels per day, which is more than sufficient for us to have a high return on equity. Market conditions since July have been more challenging than during the first half, and we have adjusted our trading accordingly. Earnings are back to “normal” expectations.
EI: Gunvor is the largest trader of LNG, volumetrically, of all the trading firms. What is the secret to this exponential growth, and what will you have to do to sustain it in this current era of low gas prices?
Törnqvist: Our LNG trading is truly global, based on long- and medium-term contracts, both on the supply and delivery sides. We are managing a sizable fleet of ships, and the sheer size of the book creates substantial optionality in the spot market. We believe the LNG market will grow for years to come. In our view, it is an important piece of any future energy mix, vis-à-vis the Energy Transition.
EI: Can you afford to keep the three European refineries you own running, or will you have to consider selling or closing them?
Törnqvist: Early on during the Covid crisis, we concluded there would be a surplus of refining capacity globally for a long time to come, even after the pandemic subsides, and especially so in Europe. We took the decision to mothball our Antwerp refinery. We will, however, continue terminal activities at the site, as well as assess future development opportunities for the land and existing units. In Rotterdam, we shut down the refinery’s two crude units, and operations will now focus on the desulfurization of high-sulfur products, the production of gasoline and the processing of biofuels. The Ingolstadt facility is a top-quartile European refinery with strong location advantage.
EI: Traders such as Trafigura, Vitol and Mercuria have announced ventures to move into renewables. Is this an area you are looking into closely?
Törnqvist: We are looking very closely at renewables and see plenty of opportunities. There is no silver bullet to the climate change issue. Many solutions are needed. As far as Gunvor is concerned, we have committed to reduce the carbon footprint of the commodities we’re trading and our industrial processes. We have stopped trading coal and acquired two biofuel plants in Spain. Today, about 50% of our trading is Energy Transition commodities, including biofuels, natural gas and LNG. The commodity mix we are trading has a lower carbon footprint than it used to have. ... And, as a part of the Rotterdam [refinery] processes, we create hydrogen, which we are studying as well.
As for investments, we have targeted 10% of net equity to be spent on non-(fossil fuel) energy solutions over the next couple years. We are currently assessing various options. For example, we believe that carbon capture solutions are required to meet zero-emissions goals, given the reality that hydrocarbons will still be a necessary part of the future energy mix. Batteries are also an area of interest because of their need to help manage the intermittent nature of renewables, such as solar and wind ... Power is not a commodity, per se. Renewables, like solar and wind, produce energy, and the “logistics” would include batteries, smart grids, and power lines. Power trading and related investments will be more important for Gunvor as we go forward. There is also a lot of excitement for hydrogen right now, and if there is success with it, it stands a good chance to be commoditized.
We shouldn’t forget that at the end of the day all our trading activities need to be done on a commercial basis. Renewables, so far, do not have the same return as oil trading, but there is potential.
EI: As banks come under greater pressure to move away from oil, do you see loans becoming harder to come by, or does Gunvor have banking relationships that will endure over the next few years?
Törnqvist: We are in constant dialogue with our banking partners, and our aim is to form a common view with them, whereby Gunvor upholds its role in the energy transition. Gunvor was the first energy trader to launch sustainability-linked financing, in which the interest rate is tied to our ability to achieve numerous criteria, such as CO2 emissions reduction in our operations. This is audited by a third-party and, so far, we’ve been successful. Banks will continue to support companies in the energy sector that integrate sustainability and the energy transition in their business model.
EI: The traders, and banks, put a much greater emphasis on compliance these days. Has this hindered your ability to develop new business, or has it been beneficial?
Törnqvist: During the last decade, we’ve spent millions of dollars building a top-tier, independent compliance department. And we’re working continuously to improve our procedures to mitigate risks in our sector, whether they relate to sanctions, corruption, market conduct, or other areas. We have a zero-tolerance policy. Every employee, including myself, must undergo mandatory annual training. We have also adopted greater transparency standards, including supporting EITI [Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative] on payments to government disclosures. After experiences from the past, we pride ourselves on upholding very rigorous compliance standards, and we do turn away from deals as a result. If we lose business, so be it.
EI: And finally, you have been in the trading business for over 30 years. Would you say it gives you the same level of excitement now as it did back in the 80s?
Törnqvist: Throughout the years, I have seen oil trading change many times over. I was in the business, working at BP, at the time of the Iranian Revolution. This resulted in massive upheaval in the energy sector and gave rise to independent oil traders. Actually, you can draw some parallels to the thinking in the oil industry then and what we’re seeing today with the energy transition -- the same uncertainties, the same doubts about the future of oil. I feel very privileged to have started from this point in the early days. It provides important perspective on how we formulate a strategy where we align our use of energy, including hydrocarbons, to create a sustainable future, with a focus on climate change. Hydrocarbons will continue to be a necessary part of the future energy mix, but they need to be produced and used in a way that fully manages their emissions.
For the interview at Energy Intelligence |
HOUSTON (6 November 2019) – Gunvor USA LLC, a subsidiary of Gunvor Group, has successfully closed the syndication of its USD 1.1 billion Borrowing Base Credit Facility. Gunvor USA increased the size of the Facility by USD 100 million while expanding its US banking group.
“Gunvor’s North America operations have received strong, steady support from our banking partners, which continue to grow in number,” said Gunvor USA’s CFO Chris Morran. “We’re pleased with the continued confidence in Gunvor’s business and strategy as we expand further into the North American market.”
The Facility will support the company’s established operations in the United States as well as continued expansion into Canada. Gunvor USA LLC has two main offices, located in Houston (TX) and Stamford (CT), which are focused on trading refined products, crude oil and natural gas, as well as a rep office in Calgary, Canada.
The new Facility is jointly lead arranged by Rabobank, who will also serve as Administrative Agent and Active Bookrunner, and ABN Amro Capital USA LLC, ING Capital, LLC, Natixis, New York Branch, and Société Générale as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers in the transaction. The syndicate also includes existing Lenders Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd., Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, New York Branch, Mizuho Bank Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and is complemented with three new Lenders: Bank of China, New York Branch, MUFG Bank, Ltd., and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation.
“Through the first nine months of 2019, the North American business has been a significant contributor to the Group,” said David Garza, Managing Director Gunvor USA. “An increase in our base and new banking partners are all part of our growing commitment to the Americas business.”
Gunvor USA LLC is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Gunvor Group Ltd, one of the largest independent energy commodity traders in the world.
About Gunvor USA
Gunvor USA LLC is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Gunvor Group Ltd, one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover. Gunvor Group creates logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy and bulk materials from where they are sourced to where they are demanded most. With strategic investments in industrial infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage, terminals, mining and upstream—Gunvor further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. In 2018, Gunvor Group generated USD 87 billion in revenue on 185 million MT of turnover. The Group’s main trading offices are in Geneva, Singapore, Houston and London, with a network of more than 20 representative and other trading offices around the globe. More information can be found at GunvorGroup.com or @Gunvor
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